Portland Takes a Stand: New Fee for Big Venues to Boost Local Arts

Portland has just made a big move to support local arts. The City Council voted to make large entertainment venues chip in a small portion of their ticket sales. This money will go into a special fund to help out local artists and small venues. The new rule applies to places that can hold over 2, 000 people. They will have to give 1% to 2% of their ticket sales, depending on how big they are. The idea is to create a better environment for artists and improve places where they can perform and practice. This all started because of a plan for a new big concert venue in downtown Portland. Many people in the art community spoke up, saying they needed more support. The City Council listened and came up with this new fee as a way to help without raising taxes.The fee won't start right away for places that already have a license. They will have to wait until their next license renewal. For example, a venue whose license ends in May 2026 will start contributing in May 2027. Some people wanted to delay the vote, saying it was unfair to existing venues. But the Council went ahead with the plan. The fee will take effect on February 4, but it will be a while before it affects all the venues. Portland isn't the only place dealing with big changes. The governor was also at the City Council meeting to honor the firefighters who responded to a recent fire. She praised their bravery and the community's support. The City Council's decision shows they are thinking about the future of arts in Portland. By making big venues contribute, they hope to create a better scene for everyone involved. It's a step towards making sure the city's arts community has the support it needs to grow and thrive.